25 Days of Christmas 2016 | #17 The Christmas Tag

So I panicked and realised that I’ve nearly run out of ideas to blog and there’s still 8 days until Christmas! I’d heard of ‘The Christmas Tag’ and thought it sounds festive and fun so I googled it and these are what I found!

What is your favourite Christmas film?
My favourite Christmas film… I think it’s probably On The Second Day of Christmas, I’ve loved it ever since I was a kid. I also love films like Home Alone 2, The Grinch or Nightmare Before Christmas but, I think I’ve spoken about the first one before. It’s heartwarming, has a great message (in the end) and the illustrations throughout are beautiful!

Have you ever had a White Christmas?
No… not that I remember. Snow usually comes to the UK (or at least the part I’m in) around April. I know this because I remember I’d have days off School and College and sometimes it would fall around Bank Holidays, those were good years!

Where do you usually spend the holidays?
Usually at home with family. It used to be that Dad would go and pick up Grandma and Grandad after they got back from Church (we’d be opening presents). Still with family this year: me, Mum, Dad and Sister – love spending Christmas with family.

What is your favourite Christmas Song?
Oh this is a hard one! I really love Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, and the classics really. I’m not too keen on modern Christmas songs (though I do like the more modern version of Baby It’s Cold Outside) but the stuff by Justin Bieber or Ariana Grande I’m just not that into. Give me Wham, Chris Rea or Mariah Carey any day!

Do you open your Christmas Presents on Christmas Eve?
Nope. Does this happen over in America? I feel like that’s more of an American thing. We open one Christmas present on Christmas Eve, just before bed (new PJs, as always!) and then open the rest of them Christmas morning.

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?
… How many are there? Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet… are there more… probably?!

What holiday traditions are you most looking forward to this year?
Our traditions are fairly simple. With no picking up Grandma and Grandad this year it’ll be Stockings in the morning (yes, me and my sister still have stockings – mainly of things like socks; hairspray; chocolate etc.) then downstairs for tree presents (plus a pork pie/sausage roll) – Dad will usually wake up early and put the turkey in the oven so you wake up and the house smells delicious. Get ready, mum & dad do the cooking while me and my sister work out our new things – take them upstairs and get them all neat – then there’s dinner, charades, the Queens speech…. it’s a nice family day and always has been.

Is your Christmas Tree real or fake?
Fake. For as long as I can remember we’ve always had a 6ft fake tree and I love it. I know some people swear by a real tree but we have a dog and two cats and honestly I love my tree. My mum decorates it so well, it’s stunning.

What is your all-time favourite holiday food/sweet-treat
This is hard. Growing up we didn’t have mince pies in the house so I always thought I wouldn’t like them… turns out I love them. They’re probably not my favourites but I’m slightly peeved that I’ve missed out all these years.
After Eight chocolates for after Christmas Dinner.
The Cheese Footballs.. if you don’t know what they are go and find them ’cause they’re amazing!!
Favourite.. I honestly don’t know. I’ll get back to you next year on that one!

Be Honest: Do you like giving or receiving gifts better?
Now don’t get me wrong, I love receiving gifts BUT I love giving them! Don’t get me wrong all my Christmas shopping is done online but I love picking out presents for family and friends, people I love and seeing their reaction when they open their gifts. It really brings a smile to your face. Especially when you see them still using it after so many years.

What is the best Christmas gift you have ever received?
This is hard. I’ve been very fortunate growing up to have received a lot of great gifts from family and friends. I think some of my favourites include tickets to see Busted from my sister; tickets to see Green Day from my parents; a fairy on a horse from my Yiayia (it’s stunning); tickets to see Wicked from my parents; and various other bits and pieces over the years. I’m very grateful for all of it.

What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
Christmas Day is time to spend at home however, over the Christmas period I’d love to visit New York. It looks incredible, all the events seem incredibly fun and I know in America they go all out for these kinds of things so I can only imagine what it’s like.

Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
Fail miserably! My poor family and friends, it’s a good thing the wrapping is going to get torn and chucked anyway because I’m awful! I can do the scissors in a straight line thing (schwoop! … Who knows what I’m talking about?!) but apart from that I’m useless.

Most memorable holiday moment?
These are so hard! I was hoping to get this up before midnight!
I remember I got a guitar one year for Christmas and I started playing for my Grandad… I’d never had guitar lessons or anything and yet he encouraged me and had me keep playing the damn thing!
There are so many more but this is one which comes to mind instantly.

What made you realise the truth about Santa?
I remember I was quite young and some older kid was down my street causing a ruckus but he was new and only visiting (legit only saw the guy once or twice) and he started talking about Santa Clause, he then pauses suddenly – turns to me – and goes “You know he’s not real, right?”
Me: “Yeah! Absolutely!”
Dreams crushed.

Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them?
I make them! … Sticking to them is a whole different thing.
Weirdly I did really well in 2015 – got a new job, did a bit of travelling, got a little more serious about my fictional writing.. 2016 was a mess! I mean I got promoted, I started a blog and did one bit of travelling, so maybe not as awful as I think I did but I was just hoping for better. All I can say is COME ON 2017! Let’s do this!

What makes the holidays special for you?
Just being around the people you love. It sounds cliche but these are the people who really matter. Be they family, friends, work colleagues – anyone who makes your day a little brighter and anyone who’s day is made brighter by you are people worth spending time with and I feel like people are really reminded of that at Christmastime.

It’s midnight but I enjoyed this!

If you want to do this tag then go for it and let me know so I can read what you wrote!